GARDEN NOTES
Everything you need to know to get the most from your plot
THIS MONTH...
April is a beguiling time of year for gardeners, with a great frou-frou of cherry blossom adorning the trees, primroses studding the banks and spring bulbs appearing in profusion. Everything is coming up so fast you can almost watch it grow but, tempting as it is to linger, the race to keep abreast of jobs is already underway.
First comes the lawn, which demands a little TLC now to get it in good heart for the year. The last thing I require is a perfect bowling green – I’m happy for grass to be peppered with bee-friendly clover, speedwell and bird’s foot trefoil, and the insect life has increased considerably since I’ve been encouraging these. In addition, clover is nitrogen-fixing so it has a benefit as a natural fertiliser. But moss and creeping buttercup are less attractive ingredients that indicate waterlogging, so I will be taking the advice of Chris Collins, head of organic horticulture at Garden Organic (gardenorganic.org.uk), and aerating the lawn before brushing over with round washed sand to improve drainage. Regular bouts of scarifying and reseeding weak areas help, too. Chris’s top tip is not to cut too short. “Do what we call a rugby cut,” he says, “never less than 2.5cm – and it will stay nice and green. Resist the urge to shave it – grass has more resilience when you leave a bit on top.” That’s welcome news as it means I can preserve the low-lying clover flowers for the bees at the same time.
SOW THE SEED
Growing your own cut-flower patch is a delightful indulgence and easy if you sow direct. Oxfordshire-based Chiltern Seeds is one of the go-to mail-order companies for original finds. Among its offerings for 2017 is a pretty Iceland poppy Papaver nudicaule ‘Wind Song’ (£2.75 per packet) in pastel pinks, apricots and creams, which would make a fine contrast to the violet-blue blooms of forking larkspur Consolida regalis ‘Blue Cloud’ (£1.95 per packet). Both are drought-tolerant once established and regular cutting keeps the flowers coming (01491 824675; chilternseeds.co.uk).
STEPPING UP
This three-tiered Como stand from Cox & Cox has a pleasingly simple design, allowing your potted plants to take centre stage. Made of iron, it has a distressed powder-coated finish for a mellow, weathered look. Measuring 78cm high x 77cm wide x 58cm deep, there’s plenty of space on the shelves to display your favourite pots and it can be used indoors or out. It costs £95 (0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk).
Ripple effect
If you want to create waterside interest and yearn for the architectural impact of Gunnera manicata, bog plant Darmera peltata is worth considering. Gunnera’s ‘little brother’ (although not related) has umbrella-like leaves on long stems but is more compact at 90cm high. Before the foliage emerges, it throws out clusters of star-shaped white or pink flowers and its autumn leaves turn red and pink. Take care not to bury the rhizome when you plant. RHS gold medal-winning Waterside Nursery in Leicestershire sells it in two-litre pots for £8 plus p&p (07931 557082; watersidenursery.co.uk).
Out & about
Turn a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year into an extra-special event by joining our Country Living VIP day on Saturday 27 May. Your ticket will give you entry to the show (8am-5.30pm), plus access to our private Jardin Blanc hospitality area (11am-4pm). Here, you can enjoy a flower-arranging masterclass with Sarah Raven at 11.30am and a light lunch with a menu designed by Raymond Blanc, as well as tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Guests will also receive an exclusive goodie bag. Tickets cost £150, plus VAT and booking fee. To reserve your place, see countryliving.co.uk/out-and-about.
WATER ON TAP
Plastic water butts aren’t usually very attractive but this shapely Cascata barrel, with a matt terracotta clay pot finish, looks convincingly natural. Made in the UK, it holds a generous 245 litres of water, which you can either decant from the brass tap at the bottom or via the short length of hose, with a shut-off valve. Plant up the indent in the top or use it as a birdbath. The barrel costs £139 from internetgardener.co.uk.
Tip: cover an arch or wall with Clematis montana var. wilsonii and its white flowers will fill your garden with the sweet, rich scent of chocolate in late spring/early summer